The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has awarded the Town of Narrows two complementary grants to support revitalization of the downtown area. The projects support the construction of public space improvements designed to make the downtown more attractive for businesses to invest, and for regional residents and visitors to spend time (and money!) in the downtown area. The grants are the result of many months of planning and community input. A volunteer team of local citizens worked with Regional Commission staff to develop this application using a previously awarded CDBG Planning Grant. The planning focused on highlighting and enhancing the outdoor recreation opportunities in and around the Town.
The grants includes a $699,346 CDBG Business District Revitalization Grant that will fund the construction of public spaces and amenities in the business district that are designed to encourage visitors to stop and explore the town, its businesses, and surrounding attractions. The project provides matching funds for repair and renovation of facades of commercial structures, and implements improvement projects to enhance the streetscape and public spaces and amenities – including the addition of a Creekside Trail and public space along Wolf Creek.
Governor Terry McAuliffe also announced his recommendation that the Town of Narrows receive $392,588 from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to complete a related revitalization project to locate an outfitter business on Wolf Creek. The ARC will finalize approval of this project award later this year. Funds from this grant are to be used in conjunction with the awarded CDBG grant to make many of the downtown improvements, to obtain property along the proposed Creekside Trail and to create an area for water-oriented recreational activities in the downtown area.
The award of these grants is an exciting opportunity for the Town of Narrows and its citizens to make significant improvements that support the revitalization of the downtown district, develop opportunities for new and existing businesses, and create a downtown that is functioning and vital for years to come.
For further information about this project, please contact Patrick O’Brien, pobrien@nrvrc.org.